La Jolla, California, December 1, 2025
La Jolla, California, is seeing a vibrant growth in its local business scene, with new dining establishments and retail stores opening up. Notable additions include Fleurette French Bistro, La Jollita Del Mar, and Pepino Café, each offering unique culinary experiences. Additionally, service providers like La Jolla Star Transportation and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters are expanding their reach. These developments reflect the community’s dynamic growth and enhance the area’s cultural landscape, making it an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike.
La Jolla Welcomes New Businesses, from Mattresses to Bagels
La Jolla, California – In recent months, La Jolla has experienced a surge of new businesses, enhancing its vibrant community and offering residents and visitors a diverse array of options. From dining establishments to retail stores, the area is witnessing significant growth and development.
New Dining Establishments
Fleurette French Bistro, a Provençal brasserie, is set to open on December 10, 2025, in the La Jolla Commons office park. The restaurant, led by Chef Travis Swikard, aims to offer a Riviera-inspired dining experience with a vegetable-forward menu emphasizing local produce. The interior features 24-foot-tall windows and an on-site garden with citrus trees and fresh herbs. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
La Jollita Del Mar Bar & Restaurant, an elevated seafood-focused eatery, is preparing to open in the space previously occupied by Aldea and Mermaids & Cowboys. This establishment marks the first U.S. venture for Mexico’s Grupo Los Arcos, known for its seafood offerings. The menu will include dishes like tostadas, ceviche, and tacos, highlighting fresh ingredients. An official opening date has not yet been announced.
Pepino, a café and bake shop that began as a viral pop-up, has secured a permanent location in downtown La Jolla. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for November 2, 2025. The menu blends Peruvian heritage with New York City culinary influences, focusing on breakfast and lunch options.
Retail and Service Additions
La Jolla Star Transportation, a family-run luxury chauffeured service provider since 2002, has launched a redesigned website and expanded its service coverage both locally and internationally. The new website aims to enhance client access and booking experiences for executive, event, or group transportation services.
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has opened its tenth location at 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive in the UC San Diego 8980 Building. This new spot offers the same quality roasts and seasonal beverages, with plans to introduce wood-fired pizzas pending city clearance.
Upcoming Culinary Ventures
Aldea La Jolla, a contemporary California restaurant with Mexican inspiration, opened in January 2024. Founded by La Jolla native Steve Horowitz, the restaurant offers a menu curated by Executive Chef John Villalba and Chef Consultant Alex Reznick, featuring dishes like ceviche, aguachile, and birria bone-in short rib.
Chef Accursio Lota, known for Cori Trattoria in North Park, is bringing a new restaurant concept to La Jolla in summer 2025. The yet-to-be-named establishment will focus on southern Italian coastal cuisine, emphasizing fresh, house-made ingredients, and is located near the La Jolla Playhouse.
Community and Cultural Developments
La Valencia Hotel, the iconic “Pink Lady,” unveiled its new spa, The Spa at La Valencia Hotel, in August 2025. The spa features six treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge, and an outdoor deck, marking the first major addition to the 115-room seaside property in over a decade.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography reopened its Adam R. Scripps Living Seas Gallery in May 2025. The renovated space offers immersive experiences, including habitats for the Giant Pacific Octopus and a Tropical Coral exhibit, bringing the Pacific Ocean to life in unexpected and inspiring ways.
La Jolla Playhouse, a nonprofit professional theater on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, continues to be a cultural hub, hosting a variety of performances and programs that foster the development of new plays and musicals.
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club announced a $60 million renovation project in 2025, aiming to enhance its facilities and services. The club, a private social club and resort, has been a staple in the community since 1927.
Conclusion
La Jolla’s recent influx of new businesses, ranging from dining establishments to service providers, reflects the community’s dynamic growth and its appeal as a destination for both residents and visitors. These developments contribute to the area’s rich cultural and economic landscape, offering a variety of options to suit diverse tastes and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Fleurette French Bistro?
Fleurette French Bistro is a Provençal brasserie set to open on December 10, 2025, in the La Jolla Commons office park. Led by Chef Travis Swikard, it offers a Riviera-inspired dining experience with a vegetable-forward menu emphasizing local produce. The interior features 24-foot-tall windows and an on-site garden with citrus trees and fresh herbs. Reservations are available through OpenTable.
What is La Jollita Del Mar Bar & Restaurant?
La Jollita Del Mar Bar & Restaurant is an elevated seafood-focused eatery preparing to open in the space previously occupied by Aldea and Mermaids & Cowboys. This establishment marks the first U.S. venture for Mexico’s Grupo Los Arcos, known for its seafood offerings. The menu will include dishes like tostadas, ceviche, and tacos, highlighting fresh ingredients. An official opening date has not yet been announced.
What is Pepino?
Pepino is a café and bake shop that began as a viral pop-up and has secured a permanent location in downtown La Jolla. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for November 2, 2025. The menu blends Peruvian heritage with New York City culinary influences, focusing on breakfast and lunch options.
What is La Jolla Star Transportation?
La Jolla Star Transportation is a family-run luxury chauffeured service provider since 2002. The company has launched a redesigned website and expanded its service coverage both locally and internationally. The new website aims to enhance client access and booking experiences for executive, event, or group transportation services.
What is Bird Rock Coffee Roasters?
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has opened its tenth location at 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive in the UC San Diego 8980 Building. This new spot offers the same quality roasts and seasonal beverages, with plans to introduce wood-fired pizzas pending city clearance.
Key Features of La Jolla’s Recent Business Additions
| Business Name | Type | Location | Opening Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleurette French Bistro | Dining | La Jolla Commons | December 10, 2025 | Provençal cuisine, vegetable-forward menu, on-site garden |
| La Jollita Del Mar Bar & Restaurant | Dining | Former Aldea and Mermaids & Cowboys | To be announced | Seafood-focused menu, first U.S. venture for Grupo Los Arcos |
| Pepino | Café/Bake Shop | Downtown La Jolla | November 2, 2025 | Peruvian heritage meets NYC influences, breakfast and lunch |
| La Jolla Star Transportation | Service | Online and Local | Redesigned site launched | Expanded luxury chauffeured services |
| Bird Rock Coffee Roasters | Café | 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive | Now open | Quality roasts, seasonal beverages, wood-fired pizzas pending |
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